Returning Arsenal crocks boost Wenger

FLYING FRENCHMAN: Henry gave Arsenal wings. (FILE)

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Agencies

PublishedTuesday, January 24, 2012

Beleaguered Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger received a boost after being battered by his own fans after the loss against Manchester United as news filters in from the Emirates Stadium about the return of injured stars.

Thierry Henry and Mikel Arteta are set to return for Arsenal against Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Sunday, according to The Sun.

Henry could have faced United but, as he was not 100 per cent fit, Wenger did not want to take the risk.

Arteta, 29, has been out for the last two games but has told Wenger to count him in for the fourth-round tie at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.

Another positive news is that defenders Bacary Sagna and Kieran Gibbs, who have both been sidelined with injuries, are also set to return to training this week — but midfielder Jack Wilshere is still out after ankle surgery.

Meanwhile, Wenger will not press the panic button and rush into the transfer in the wake of a third successive Premier League defeat.

The loss at home to Manchester United followed a 2-1 defeat at Fulham and 3-2 reverse at Swansea.

Wenger's side are now five points off fourth-placed Chelsea and at risk of missing out on a place in the Champions League for the first time in 14 years.

Defeat to United back in August prompted Wenger to make a host of signings including Andre Santos, Per Mertesacker, Arteta, Yossi Benayoun and Park Chu-Young, but the Frenchman claims he does not feel under pressure to do the same in January.

Asked whether he agreed with the view that Arsenal must spend to improve, Wenger replied: "I don't. Spending money is not the target. It never has been in life.

"We need our players back. We missed 10 players. When you see what we created in the second half, it's important for us to get the players back.''

Wenger has had no fit recognised fullbacks since before Christmas, with Sagna, Gibbs, Carl Jenkinson and Andre Santos all out injured.